Pressing machine



March 30, 1937. p. PENDLETQN 2,075,299

PRESSING MACHINE March 3o, 1937. -P L, PENDLETON I 2,075,299

PREssING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1935 -3 Shee'hS-Shee''l 2 L jgt 2.

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March 30, 1937. p, L PENDLETON 2,075,299

PRESSING MACHINE Filed May 1.6, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet '3' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSING MACHINE Pyam L. Pendleton, Edgewood, R.. l., assignor to Pantex Pressing Machine,

Inc., Pawtucket,

R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application May 16, 1933, Serial No. 671,322

4 19 claims.

My invention relates to improvements in garment presses and by garment presses I includethe type of presses generally known in the trade as garment presses and also laundry presses 5 which, also press garments.

This invention relates particularly to presses having a pair of pressing members, one stationarily and one movably connected to the press frame.

An object of my invention is to provide a garment press with a man-power operated foot or hand mechanism for the actuation of the press and a supplemental fluid actuated power mechanism for supplemental actuation o f the press4l i5 especially for particularly heavy work and my inmechanism is obtained through a bar lever which operates only to transmit the force of the power medium after the closing\of the press to an intermediate pressing position by man powe'r has reo; sulted in raising a rigid means against the center of said bar-lever in order that the power mechanism may pivot said bar-lever to exert greater pressure on the pressing lever and to provide a construction, whereby if the power actuated 0 means be actuated prior to the bar-lever being made into a lever by providing a rigid pivot point therefor as just described, said lever will merely pivot on the pressing lever without the applicationy of any power thereto. I thus provide a high 35 safety factor as accidental application of'power will not dangerously apply pressure to or cause motion of the pressing lever with the press open or unless the press has been closed and locked in an intermediate man power lpressing position by 40 operation of the man power means to bring said bar-lever into a position to function as a lever, thus making it practically impossible for the operatorto suffer from the accidental application of power. By employing my improved bar- 45 lever I am enabled to provide a construction which will readilyv function as -a rigid bar on actuation of said, pressing lever by man pcwer to close the pressing members to an intermediate operative position and which when in said' inter- 50 mediate position may function as a lever to transmit power from a fluid pressure piston to said pressing lever with increased leverage, if desired.

One feature of my improved construction lies 135 in the use of a bar to connect the movable press member to the press mechanism for hand or treadleoperation, said bar functioning as a lever for supplemental iluid pressure power after the press has been -closed and locked by hand or by treadle operation in an intermediate position, said manual or treadle closing of the press swinging into place a rigid means on which the bar may pivot as a lever, said rigid means being displacedwhen the press is open, thereby providing avery high safety factor as accidental application of fluid power with the press open cannot transmit motion to the movable press member, such motion requiring rigid means inic'onnection with a lever, said means being present only when the press has been previously by hand or byX treadle operation closed and locked in an intermediate pressing position.

In this description three positions are ascribed to the movable pressing member. When the movable press member is separated to full extent vfrom the rigid press member, the press is Idescribed as open. When themovable press member is by hand or by treadle brought by man power into contact with the rigid press member and locked without the application of iluid power, the press is described as in intermediate Iposition. When the movable press member is advanced by power means from the locked intermediate position into closer contact with the rigid member, 'the press is described as in closed position.

By employing my improved construction I include in the mechanism a bar for advancing the movable press member from open to intermediate position, said bar functioning as a lever for -frther advancing the movable press member from intermediate to closed position.

A- further object of my invention is to provide a mechanism which makes Vit possible to apply a very powerful pressure to the stationary and movable pressing forms without hampering the operation of the Apress as a manpower operated unit for light pressure only. This is a decided advantage in garment manufacture where the operations require a convenient and optional variation'in pressure.

A further feature of my invention is to provide a construction wherein the attachment of a bar lever which is in eifect a combination bar l,and lever to the uid pressure actuated power mechanism is made in such a way as to increase the 'pressing power or leverage exerted by the uid pressure actuated power mechanism.

A further feature of my invention relates to improvements in pressure lock and relief mechanism for the man power actuationof pressing machines and by man power I mean operation oted to a point on said lower toggle member and a front toggle member pivoted on the frame at a point intermediate the ends thereof and having its rear end connected to the front end of said rear toggle member. Said toggle mechanism 'includes the treadle pivotally mounted on said frame and means pivotally joining said treadle with the front end of said front toggle member, whereby on depression of said treadle said toggle mechanism may function to raise the bary lever then functioning as a' `bar to pivot the pressing lever to an intermediate pressing position. ,Types of toggle mechanism connected to a point on the power arm of the pressing lever are old, "but this feature of my invention relates toy the specific type` of means I employ to lock-and hold the front toggle member in a lockedposi-i tion past the dead center line of the points of jointure of said front and rear toggle members. To this end a locking lever is pivoted to the frame and having its frontend fixed against clock-wise rotation by a bracket adjustable on the front of the machine and having a free rear end `adapted to contact' the rear end of the front toggle member and limit its clock-wise rotation in accord- 4ance with the position ofthe locking lever. By

adjustment of the bracket stop on the front Aof the machine (which is in a much more accessible and convenient position than adjustable stops of this description on presses heretofore designed), the locking position of -the front toggle memberv past its .dead center may'be readily adjusted. This feature of my invention therefore relates to the specific type of meansI preferably employ for adjusting, in its intermediate man power actuatedpressing position, from the front of the machine, the lockingsposition of the toggle mechanism after the rear end of the front toggle member has passed .dead center. The locking vpoint of the press mechanism in the intermediate position with'respe'ct to the amount of hand or treadle pressure desired from the-front ofthe machine is adjusted through restricting the mo-V tion of the front toggle member by the locking lever after it has been advanced slightly beyond dead center so that the reaction of the press will hold it in position. The improved locking lever may also function as a' toggle release in lowering the front toggle member past its dead center in which case a release treadle may be attached to the front endthereof adapted to pivot the rear end of said .locking leverdownwards to abut said front toggle member to knock it past its dead center to release the toggle mechanism to release the press on depression of the foot release treadle. Attachment of said release treadle to the locking lever may be optionally made through a lost motion connection, and preferably through a lost -motion connection when the release treadle is attached to a rocker arm operated valve action as hereinafter described.

A further feature of my invention relates to the means I 'preferably employ for controlling the actuation of the fluid pressure actuated power valve mechanism for garment and laundry l presses having particular relation to the type of presses which are closed by man power and with heavy pressure being effected by uid actuated power means after the pressl is closed and locked by hand power.

An object of this featurev of my invention is to eliminate the possibility of unlocking the press while under heavy pressure as the result of the recoil which is dangerous to the operator and harmful to the press mechanism. This feature of my inventionthus provides a means for eliminating recoil through the use of a double treadle control. I provide a treadlevfor opening avalve suitably placed t'o allow the w of uid power to the power operating means. I also' provide a second treadle'which, through its connection to the locking lever 'described above is the only means for opening the press and by attaching the exhaust pressure valve to 'this -treadle so that the exhaust valve action is positively related to -the vtreadle motion, and in addition timing the motion' of the associated parts so'that before the treadle control functions to mechanically open the press, the pressure valve will have released all external uid ypressure ,prior to man power pressure release action. Said valves and treadles are reciprocally connectedby a rocker arm, the

' specific function of the exhaust treadle beinglirst to close the inlet valve, second to open the exhaust valvev and third to open the press through alost motionconnecticn which allows the nrst two just mentioned operations to be completed by a partial depression of the treadle before full depression of `the treadle can complete the third. This invention includes having the power treadle linkedY to the exhaust treadle thr'ough a rocker Y arm so that depression of the power treadle will always close the exhaust valve before openingV the inlet valve Aand prevent loss of valuable fluid pressure and also so that fluid lpressure will be maintained throughout the duration of the pressing acti'on without loss of power due to leaks in the press power system.

A further feature of the power mechanism eml BY this feature I and readily adjustable lock adjustablev from in front yof the machine for adjustabl'y locking the man power operated power mechanism in a raised locked intermediate position and with the upperv and lower toggle membei's substantially rigid to serve as a pivot forthe bar lever-thereon and with the fluid .pressure actuated vpowermechanism `liner functioning througn'the mung 'or me bar lever to apply power to the pressing forms and with the valve mechanism control for the application of fluid pressure to. and away fromsaid power mechanism being so arranged .and connected as to close the outlet from theipower mechanism prior to admission of any vinlet for iluid pressure thereto and the powerrelme mechanism being so connected to the man power operated release mechanism 'as tov successively closethe inlet valve to said power mechansmlandopen the exhaust valve thereof during thelost motion acuosa of the outlet and release treadle so arranged that. when the operation of the release of the power mechanism is completed-the man power operatedmechanism may be consecutively-brokento open the press and thereby providing an operative com.- bination in combination'with the lost motion and the means for breaking the man power pressure prior to opening the press. y y .l

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a/description of various embodiments thereof, such as are shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. l 'isiavcentral section of a standard type of garment press constructed in accordance with my .invention showing the pressing members and mechanism thereof in open position.

Fig. 2 is a' central section similar to Fig. 1- showing the pressing members and mechanism thereof in a man power actuated closed intermediate position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rear end 4of the pressing lever and attachedparts thereof.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a lower portion thereof illustrating particularly thefoot levers and valve mechanismcontrol for the power mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed central sectional View of the pressing lever and associated parts showing the cylinder in section, andalso showing in broken lines the position of the parts when full uid pressure is used.

Fig. 6 is a view generally similar to Fig. 5 of the 7 rear end of the pressing lever and associated parts of a slightly dierent embodiment of my invention illustrating a slightly different form of connection between the power mechanism and the pressing lever.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view generally similar to Fig. 5 showing the rear end of the pressing lever and associated parts of a still further modified form of my invention illustrating adiierent type of connection between the power mechanism and pressing lever.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, III generally indicates a standard type of .garment press having the .diierent features of my invention incorporated therein. SaidV press includes a frame I2 having a front portion on which the stationary pressing form I4 v1s mounted and a rear portion extending upwardly. on which the lpressing lever I6 is preferablypivotally mounted as at I8. The

l is provided for the relative closing of said pressing forms I4 and 20 to an operative intermediate pressing position and.preferably means is also provided for locking said pressing forms in an intermediate pressing position after the man power actuation thereof to said position. As explained hitherto I employ the term man power to mean\operated by the genus man whether Iby the foot r hand thereof, and for this purpose the means fo man power actuation of said press may include a handle 28 mounted on the movable pressing lever for the hand actuation thereof, or

a treadle 30 pivotally mountedas at 32 on the rear` end of said frame to actuate through a standard type of toggle mechanism 34'ory othermeans, the power arm 24 of said pressing lever yI6 to pivot the movable *pressing lever 20 into `the thrust of the toggle mechanism 34 to function as a-bar for man power closing of the pressing lever I6 to an intermediate pressing position and adapted to pivot on the upper end of said toggle mechanism 34 to permitfthe power mechanism 38 to function thereonto supply said fluid pressure actuated power bar preferably with increased leverage to actuate the pressing lever 20. For this purpose I provide a standard type of bar lever 36 having the front end thereof pivotally mounted as at 4I) on a point of the power arm 24 1 of .said'pr'essing lever I6 preferably intermediate y its pivot I6 thereof and the rear end thereof. The

outer end of said bar lever 36 is adapted to abut the stop 26 for a purpose to be described. The upper end of said toggle mechanism 34 or whatever type of treadle operated manpower actuated means is employed to pivot the pressing lever -I6 to a closed pressing position preferably pivotally connected to the bar lev r at a point 46v preferably spaced closer to its point of lpivotal connection 40 to the power arm 24 of said pressing lever I6 than to the rear end thereof for a purpose to be described. It is obvious', however, that for certain features of my invention the bar lever-may be omitted and the upper end of.v

said toggle mechanism or other means employed may be connected directly to the power arm 24 of said pressing lever I 6; The toggle mechanism for man power operation of said bar lever 36-and/or pressing lever` I6 is of a standard type and' comprises an upper toggle member-48 havingthe upper end thereof 'pivotally connected to saidrbar lever 36 or power arm 24 as at 46 and a lower toggle member 50 pivoted to the real` end of the frame base as at Y|52 and having the upper end thereof pivotally attached to the lower end of the upper toggle member 48 as at 54. Means such as the spring 56 may be provided to normally urge the upper and lower toggle members v48 and 50 to a broken nonpressing posit' n. Said spring means 56 mounted on said lo r toggle member may be attached either to said frame or to the rear end of the treadle 30. A rear toggle memberV 58is also provided having the 4rear ed attached to the center portion of said lower toggle 50 as at 60 and a front toggle member 62 is also preferably thereof to the frameras atv64 and having its rear end pivotally' attachedfto the front end of said rear toggle member as at 66. The rear end of said front toggle member is also preferably provided with a counter weight 68 adapted to assist in raising said toggle mechanism to a locked intermediate position when lifted to a position raising the pivotal point of connection 66C of said front and rear toggle members 62 and. 5Brespectively upwards past its dead center. A link 16 is provided pivotally connected .at itsfupper end to the front end of the front toggle member as at 12 and pivotally connected at its lower end' to the treadle 30 as at 14, whereby on depression Iof said treadle 30 said toggle `mechanism may provided pivoted at a point intermediate the ends muy 'rigid and vertical position just short of dead center to -raise the bar lever 36 to abut said stop 26 to pivot said pressing lever I6 through said stop 26 and pivot point of attachment 40 of said pressing lever thereto to a closed inter--l mediate pressing position.

As stated hitherto, a further feature of my lnvention includes the means about to be described I preferably employ for holding the specific type of toggle mechanism shown/in a raised locked position adjustable from the front of a machine and alsovproviding means for. breaking the toggle mechanism for release thereof and .consequent opening of the press through the medium of the spring 56 'or other means employed. Fbrthis purpose an adjustable stop I6 is provided havirm\ slots 'I8 therein which the bolts 80 are adapted to ride for locking said adjustable stop 16 to the front portion of the frame I2 in any desired adjustable position. Said stop 'I6 is provided with a bumper surface 82. A locking lever 84 is provided having a portion intermediate the ends thereof pivotally Amounted on said frame preferably on the same pivot 64v as the front toggle member. 62 is pivotally-mounted on said frame. A bumper plate 85 is provided on the rear end of said locking lever and is adapted to be contacted by a bumper pad 86 located on the rear portion of said front toggle and to be pivoted ,upwards thereby when the pivot point 66 of attachment of said front and rear toggle members 62 and 58 respectively has passed'by its dead machine ,thereby providing an easily accessible` and positive-adjustment of the locking point of the toggle members through the extension of the locking lever to the front or most accessible part of the frame and mounting of the stop 16 in the front of theframe. The locking lever 84 also functions throughv a mechanism to be described to break the toggle connection 66 of the front and rear toggle members 62. and 58 respectively by respectively lowering the pivotal point of connection 66 thereof below its dead center, and .for this purpose a release and outlet ttxeadle 90 is provided pivotally mounted on said frame as at 92. A link '94 has its lower end connected to the rear end of the release and outlet treadle 80 as at 96 and itsuppenend pivotally connected to the .front end of said locking lever 84 as at 88. Said link 94 is preferably provided with the lost motion connection |00 which vwill be described in' It is therefore obvious that d raised upward causing the front end of the locking leyer 84 to be tilted upwards through the ymedium of the link 84 andthe rear end depressed to cause the pad 85 thereon to contact the plate 86 on the rear end of said front toggle member to knock the pivotal point of attachment 66 of said front and rear toggle members 62 and 58 respectively pastits dead center to release the toggle mechanism to cause the spring 56 to pivot the pressing lever I6 to move the movable pressing form 2,0 to an open position.

It is obvious that the adjustable lock provided by the locking lever 84 .in front of the-pressing frame and the man power release for the man power operated bar actuated mechanism may be' provided if desired in a man power operated press without the supplemental features of the uid actuated power mechanism about to be described.

However, I preferably provide `supplemental fluid actuated powermeans 38 to pivot said pressing lever I6 to exert greater than man power pressure on said pressing lever I6 and'to this end I preferably pivotally mount a pressure cylinder |02 on the work arm 22 of said pressing lever as at |04. A piston |06 is provided for reciproca- `as at |`|0 on the rear end of said pressing lever power arm 24, a bell crank lever ||2 having an upwardly projecting\long arm II 4 ypivotally attached as at I I6 to said piston rod |00 and a rearwardly projecting arm II8.- A link |20 is pivoted as at |22 to the rear end of, said bar lever 36 and itslower end pivotally connected as at |24 to the rearwardly projecting arm ||8 of said bell crank lever ||2, whereby on actuation of said piston said bell crank lever and link may function to pivot the rear end 42 of said bar lever 36 downwardly to tllt the front end thereof upwardly to raise the power arm of said pressing le- "ver upwardly to-exert greater pressure on said work arm 22. In my preferred embodiment it is obvious that actuation of the power mechanism will function also to exert pressure on the work arm 22 of said pressing fever through the pivotal point of connection |04 of the pressure cylinder |02 .thereto and upward pressure 'on the power arm through the medium of the bar lever 36 pivoting on its now rigid pivotal point of attachment -4t of thesman powenactuad means thereto, rigid because tle upper and lower toggle members havebeen raised to a substantially vrigid vertical position, to pivot it, through the pivotal point crank lever ||2 to ,pivot lbackwards and through A the medium .of the rearwardly projectingarm ||8 thereof and connecting link |20 pivot the rear end of said bar lever 36 downwards to raise the frontend thereof upwards and power arm 24 of saidpressing lever I6 upwards through the medium of its pivotal point of connection 40 of the bar lever thereto. It is obvious that an increased leverageaction will be secured for several reasons, namely, duetothe f ct vthat the pivotal point of connection 46 of th toggle'mechanism 34 to said bar-lever 36 isf spaced closer to the pivotal point of conneotio 40 of said bar lever 36 to said power arm than e pivotal point .of-connection |22 of said link |20 to said bar lever 36,l thereby providing increased leverage action by the difference between the lengths of the relative work and power arms of said bar lever now' functioning as a pure leve` of theA Othertypes of mechanism for accomplishing the same substantial increased leverage effect are shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 6 the bar 1eyer 36 pivots on the point 46 to exert increased 5 pressure on the pressing lever I6 at point 40 and as the result of roller means |30 mounted on the rear end of said piston rod |08 functioning against the upper surface |26 of an oblique slot |28 formed in the rear end of said power arm 24 10 and simultaneously bearing on the upper` surface |32 of the bar lever 36; It is thus obvious that the roller lmeans on the rear end of the piston rod |08 functions as a wedge to pivot the rear end of said bar lever'- 36 downwards and 15 hence the front end of the bar lever upwards and hence power arm of said pressing lever I6 up- Wards.`

I have shown in Fig. 'I a still alternative form of power increasing mechanism wherein the bar 20 lever 36 receives the thrust of the piston rod |08 through the differential toggle members |32 and |34, each having the upper ends thereof pivotal- 1y connected to the piston rods |00 as at |36. The link |32 is of shorter length and is pivotal- 25 ly connected as at |38 to the rear end of said bar lever 36. 'I'he link |34 is of greater length and is pivotally connected as at |40 to the power arm 24 of said pressing lever. The general design of this mechanism makes it possible to apply very :V30 powerful pressure in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and '7 without in any way 'hampering the operation of the press of the treadle operated unitfor light pressures only. 'This is a decided advantage in garment manufacture where the operations require a convenient and optional variation in pressure.

y Means are preferably provided to return the piston |06 to a closed initial starting position,

said means comprising in my preferred ,embodi- -10 ment a spring |42 having a center portion thereof wrapped around the pivot pointof said bell crank lever ||2, the front end thereof abutting a stop |46 on the power arm 24 of said pressing lever i6 and the rear end thereof abutmay be omitted, the piston |06 through the action of the bell crank lever '||2 or other connecting'means employed being moved to abut the front end of the cylinder to hold the rear end vof said bar lever 36 in a rigid position to cause it to function as a bar during the man power .operation of the toggle mechanism to raise the pressing leverl|6 to a closed intermediate pressing position. Itis obvious that the spring |42 functions to Imove the piston |06 forward in the pressing cylinder-to exhaust'the uid pressure therein. As stated hitherto, one feature of this portion of my invention is the high safety factor involved as accidental application of power to the piston |06 will not dangerously apply pressure to or cause motion of the-pressing lever I6 with the press open Aasqit Awill merely cause the bar lever 36 and broken toggle mechanism to pivot slightly without causing any downward motion of the pressing form r20, said application of power only functioningto' exert pressure on said pressing lever when the rigid pivot point 46 is provided when the upper and lower toggle memthus unless the press has been closed and locked by man power in intermediate pressing position by the treadle or otherwise, making it practically impossible for the operative to suffer from the accidental application of power.

Further features of my invention relate to the' valve mechanism I preferably employ for controlling the action of the uidpressure actuated power mechanism. Said means includes pipe means connected to said cylinder |02, specifically a pipe |48 connected to the front end of said cylinder and connected respectively by separate pipes |50 and |52 to the inlet and outlet valves |54 and |56 respectively. The outlet valve |56 discharges through means of the outlet |58 into the atmosphere or to any desired place. The inlet valve |54 is supplied by the pipe |60 froma source of liuid pressure (not shown). The inlet and outlet valves |54 and |56 as shown in Hg. 4 are preferably located adjacent to each other and are. provided with the downwardly projecting valve stemsk|62 and |64 respectively. A cam |66 is provided pivotally mounted as at |68 on the front portion of the frame and provided With the laterally downwardly projecting arms |10 and |12 respectively on each side thereof `thereby forming an arcuate cam surface |14 on the lower surface thereof. The upper surface of said cam |66 is provided with the preferablyv adjustable tappets |16 adapted to bear `|82 vin the lower end thereof in which the stop pin |84 mounted onl the frame is adapted to function for a purpose to be described. An inlet treadle |86 is pivotally mounted on said frame and has the rear end thereof beyond said pivot point pivotally-connected by means of the inlet link |90 to the inlet side |92 of said rocker mechanism |18. As stated hitherto in my preferred embodiment the outlet and manpower operated release treadlev 90` is pivotally mounted as at '92 on said frame and is pivotally connected `by means of the outlet link |9| which has Ithe upper end thereof pivotally connected to the outlet side |98 of said rocker mechanism |18.

The rocker mechanism |18 also has the roller 200 mounted on a central vertical upward extension '202 thereof. The cam |66 is designed to have no effect on the roller 200 after the rocker |18 has been moved by -the respective treadle, that is when either treadle is depressed the rocker arm rotated and the valves opened. The. opposing treadle must be depressed to actuate 4the valve.

The lost motion connection |00 to the press opening mechanism normally reacts on the treadles` |86 and 80 to force them in a neutral position with both inlet and outlet valves |54 and |56v closed whenv the press is brought into a closed position. 'Theslot |82 in the rocker arm |18 is arranged in regard to' the stop pin |84 to allow motion of the exhaust treadle to continue for the purpose of opening the press after the exthereby providing a true lost motion. As the exhaust valve |56. During the moving of the rollers from position one to position three respectively, including the respective closing of the linlet valve and opening of the exhaust valve the surfaces 204 and 206 of the lost motion connection are 'brought adjacent to each other,

roller is moved from position three to position four on the cam however, the surface 206 contacts the surface 204 to raise up the link 94 to pivot the locking lever 64 `to break the toggle mechanism 34 for ma power actuation of the cam when the spring 56 or other means employed 'Will function to' open the press. 'I'he particular f' arrangement of lost motion connection, valves,

etc., will result in completely closing the inlet valve and opening the exhaust valve before the press can be opened by the release treadle 90,

thereby providing a safety factor and preventing the press from being opened by man power while there is any pressure at all in the power mechanism, thereby eliminating vany dangerous recoil on the power mech by release of pressure when the -press is opened and "eliminating the possibility of unlocking the press *while under heavy pressure as the resultant recoil is dangerous to the operator and harmful/to the pressing machine. When, however, the power treadle is actuated after locking of the man power actuated mechanism in intermediate position it will ilrst move theroller from position four to three on the cam, the lost motion vwill function with no resultant actuation of the inlet or exhaust valves.

`When, however, the roller is moved from position three to two, the tappet |16 functions to close the exhaust valve and when the roller is moved from a position from two to one on the cam the cam is tilted to permit the other tappet |16 to open the inlet valve, thereby providing the desirable sequence of closing the exhaust valve before any pressure is admitted to the cylinder for the proper application of power thereto.

It is therefore obvious that in my improved combination' that the specific type of locking means for the man power actuated togglel mechi anism functions to lock the press in a closed position to permit the power mechanism to function and that .the power mechanism will not function to produce any useful pressing result,

or dangerous movement of the pressing lever unless the press is closed to a man power actuated locked intermediate pressing position. It is also obvious that the means I employ for unlocking "the man power actuated pressure operating mechanism functions' to close the inlet valve, open the exhaust valvethrough a lost motion connection thereby eliminating recoil prior to any man power vactuated opening of the press, and it is also apparent that with my improved construction of bar lever it is enabled to function as a bar in the ready man power closing of the press to an intermediate pressing position and to pivot on the man power actuated closing means to function preferably as a leverage increasing mechanism for the power actuation of factor of preventing unlocking of theI device when the power is on and preventing the accidental application of power forl moving the press when in open4 position. It is apparent therefore that I have provided a novel type of press useful foi` garment or laundry presses with the advantages described above.

' Inasmuch as linear pressure is applied on the piston it is obvious that it will apply substantially the same amount of pressure; regardless of the thickness of the material being pressed.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: f

1. In a garment press, a frame, a stationarypressing form, a pressing lever of the first class pivotally mounted on said frame having apressing form mounted on the work arm thereof, toggle mechanism for n power-operation of said lever comprising an upper toggle member pivotally connected to said pressing lever power arm, a lower toggle member pivoted to the frame base and upper toggle member, a rear toggle member pivoted tosaidtoggle mechanism, a frontI toggle member pivotally vmounted between the ends.

thereof on said frame and' having' its rear end pivotally connected to the .front end of said rear toggle member,l a treadle pivotally mounted on said frame and means pivotally joining s'aid treadle with the front end of said front toggle member, a stop mounted on the front of said frame,

a locking lever pivotally mounted intermediate im its ends on said frame adapted to be abutted by said front toggle member to pivot said locking lever until the front end thereof abuts the stop when the point of connection of said front and rear toggle members is beyond its dead center.

to retain said pressing lever in locked actuating position, a release treadle pivoted intermediate its ends on said frame and a link pivoted to the front end of said locking lever and the rear end of said release treadle to cause `the rear end of the locking lever to lower the point of connection of said front and rear toggle members below its dead center to release anism.

2. In 'a garment press, a frame, a stationary said toggle mechpressing form, almovable pressing form, a treadle pivotally mounted on said frame and mechanism pivotally joining said` treadle with said movable form, alstop mounted on `the front of said frameja locking lever pivotally mounted on said frame. having thev rear end thereof adapted to be abutted by a 'portion-of said mechanism and pivot said locking lever until the front end thereof abuts the stop to retain said movable pressing form in locked pressing position.- a release treadle pivoted on said vframe and a link pivoted to the front end of said locking lever and the rear end of said release treadle to ause.

the rear end of,the locking lever to abut and release said mechanism. A v

3. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a movable pressing form, mechanism for man power `operation of said movable pressing form, a treadle pivotally mounted on said frame, means pivotally joining said treadle with said man power operated 'mechanism a stop mounted in the front of said frame, a locking lever pivotallymounted on said frame having the rear end thereof adapted to be abutted by said man power operated mechanism and 'pivot said locking lever until the front end thereof abuts the stop to -retain said mechanism in an oi center movable pressing form actuating position, a release treadle pivoted on said frame and a link pivoted to the front end of said locking lever and rear end of said release treadle to cause the rear end of said locking lever to move said man power actuated mechanism to actuate it and to permit the movable pressing form to bar lever having its front end'pivotally attached to the powerV arm of said'pressing lever and having its free end restrained against upward movement by said pressing lever, mechanism for man power operation of said pressing lever pivotally attached to said bar lever at a point spaced nearer to the pivot point thereof on said pressing lever power arm than to the rear end. thereof, said point being adapted on actuation of said man power mechanism to assume a ixed position relative to said bar lever, a treadle pivotally mounted on said frame, means to connect said treadle to said pressing lever operating mechanism, whereby on depressing of saidtreadle said man power actuated mechanism may functionvto raise er means to pivot said pressing lever comprising` a pressure cylinder ,pivotally mounted on said pressing lever, a piston movable therein having a rod projecting rearwardly therefrom, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said pressing lever power arm having an upwardly projecting arm pivotally attached to said piston rod rear end and a rearwardlyprojecting arm,la link pivotally joining the rear end of said bar lever and rearwardly projecting bell crank lever arm, whereby on actuation of said piston said bell crank lever and link may function to pivot the rear end of said bar lever 'downwardly to tilt the front end upwardly about the now fixed pivot s l v r to rape the power arm of sam pre-55mg e e up viding an increased leverage both with the free` wardly to exert a greater pressure on said work arm and valve mchanism for controlling the action of said fluidr'pressure mechanism.

5. In a garment press, fa frame,V a stationary pressing form, ,a' pressing leverv of the first class pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressing torni mounted on the work arm thereof, toggle mechanismtfor man power operation of said pressing lever comprising an uppertogglemember connected to said pressing lever power arm, a lower toggle member pivoted to the frame base and upper toggle member, a rear toggle member pivoted to said toggle mechanism, a front toggle member pivotally mounted on said frame and having its', rear end pivotally connected to the front of said rear toggle member, a treadle pivotally mountedA on said frame, means pivotally joining said treadle with the front end of said front toggle member, a stop mounted on the iront of said frame, a locking lever pivotally mounted on said frame adapted to'be abutted by saidfront toggle member to pivot said locking lever until the front end thereof abuts the stop,

a release and outlet treadle pivoted on said frame and a link pivoted to the front arm of .said locking lever and having ay lost motion connection with the rear end of said release treadle to cause the locking lever to lower said front and rear toggle member connection, supplemental uid pressure actuated power means to pivot said pressing lever to exerta greater than man power pressure on said pressing lever, valve mechanism for controlling the action of vsaid fluid pressure mechanism, and an inlet treadle for said valve mechanism, said outlet and release treadle lever being also connected to said valve mechanism to open the outlet thereof, prior to taking up said lost motion connection.

6. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever of the i'lrst class pivotally' mounted on said frame'having a pressing form mounted on the work arm thereof adapted to be moved into pressing relationship with said stationary pressing'form, a, bar lever.

having 'a front end pivotally attached to the power arm of said pressing-lever and having its free end restrained against movement by said pressing lever, mechanism for man power operation of said pressing lever pivotally attached tov a point on said bar lever intermediate its ends and means rendering said mechanism capable of retaining a maximum man power pressure position to provide a rigid pivot for said bar lever to permit pivotal movement thereof, and supplemental power means mounted on said pressing lever functioning against the f ree rear end of said bar leverby means providing an increased leverage to pivot it on its point of attachment to said man power actuated mechanism to exert greater than man power pressure on said pressing form, and mechanism for controlling the action of said power mechanism. f

7. In a garment press, a. frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever of the first class pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressi ing form mounted on the work arm thereof, said pressing form being adapted to be moved into pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, a bar lever having 'an end pivotally attached to the power arm' of said pressing lever and having its free end restrained against movement by said pressing lever, a pressurecylinder pivotally mounted on said pressing lever, and a piston movable therein having a rod projecting therefrom operatively connected by means proend of said bar lever` andwith the pressing lever power arm to exert downward pressure on the connected work arm.

8. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever of the first class pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressing form mounted on the work arm thereof adapted to be moved into pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, a bar lever having an end pivotally attached to said pressing lever and being pivotally mounted on means projecting upwardly from said frame, a pressure ing form mounted on the work arm thereof and having a rearwardly downwardly inclined slot near the rear end -of said lever, said movable pressing form being adapted to be moved on movement of said lever into pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form,`a bar lever having one end pivotally attached to the power arm cf said pressing lever and pivotally mounted on means projecting upwardly from said frame, al pressure cylinder pivotally mounted 'on said pressing lever, a piston movable therein having a rod projecting. rearwardly therefrom having roller means adapted to slidably engage said slot and upper surface of said bar lever rear end to exert a downward pressure'on the connected work arm to force the movable pressing form mounted onsaidipres'sing lever into pressing relationship with said stationary form.

10. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever of the rst class pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressing form mounted on the work arm thereof yadapted to be moved`into pressing relationship with said stationary: pressing form, a bar lever pivotally mounted on the power arm of said lever and also pivotally mounted on means projecting Yupwardly from said frame; apressure cylinder pivotally mounted on the work arm of said pressl ing lever, a piston movable. therein having a rod 80 projecting rearwardly therefrom, a link pivotally connecting the piston rod rear end to said pressing lever power arm and a link pivotally connecting the piston rod rear end tosaid bar lever rear end inclinedtoward the rear of said bar lever at 85 an angle relative to the perpendicular between said pivotal point of connection on said piston rod rear end and said bar lever.

1l. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever of the ilrst class 40 pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressing form mountedon the work arm thereofl adapted to be moved into pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, a bar lever having .an end pivotally attached to the power 45 arm of said pressing lever, and pivotally mounted between its ends on means projecting upwardly from said frame, expansible power means pivotally mounted on said pressing lever and having an expansible portion connected by link means in- 50 cluding said bar lever to the bar lever to provide an increased leverage on said bar lever and means to expand said means to move said bar lever to move the pressing lever form'into power pressing relationship with said stationary form.

55 12. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever'of the first class pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressing. form mounted on one arm thereof adapted to be moved into pressing relationship with said 60 stationary pressing form, a bar lever having an end pivotally mounted on said pressinglever and pivotally mounted between its ends on means `projecting upwardly from saidframe, expansible power means pivotally mounted on said pressing 65 lever and having an expansible portion connected by linkage including said pivotally mounted bar lever to saidbar lever, and means to cxpand said means to move said bar lever to move the pressing lever form into power pressing re- 70 lationship with said stationary form.

13.. In a'pressing machine, a stationary pressing `form, a Ylever of the first class mounted on said machine, having a pressing form mounted thereon to be brought into pressing relationship 75 with said stationary pressing form, a bar lever having one .end thereof pivotally connected to said pressing lever, and the other ,end thereof constrained against upward movement, mechanism for man power actuation of said machine connected to an intermediate point4 on`said bar 5 lever whereby actuation of said man power mechanism may raisesaid bar lever to tilt said pressing lever to bring the pressing form thereof into f a maximum, man power actuated pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, 10

means to'retain said man power actuated mechanism, bar' lever and pressing lever in said position, power mechanism, means connecting said power mechanism to said other end of said bar lever to pivot it -on actuation of said power mech- 15 anism to cause said barlever to pivot on said then rigid'point of connection to said man power actuated mechanism as a fulcrum to pivot said opposite pressing lever connected bar leverend to apply power pressure to said connected lever and 20 pressing form. f

14. In a pressing machine, 'a stationary pressing form, a lever of the first class mounted on said machine having a pressing -form mounted thereon to be brought into pressing relationship 25 with said stationary pressing form, a bar lever having one end thereof pivotally connected to said pressing lever, and the other end thereof constrained against upward movement, mechanism for man power actuation of lsaid machine connected to an intermediate point on said bar llever whereby actuation of said man power mechanism may 'raise said bar lever to tilt said pressing lever tobring the pressing form thereof into a maximum, man powers-actuated pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, means to retain said man power 'actuated mechanism, bar lever. and pressing lever in said position, power mechanism, means connecting said power mechanism to said other end ofv said bar lever to 40 'pivotit on actuation of said power mechanism to cause said bar lever to .pivot onv said then rigid point of connection to said man power actuated mechanism as a fulcmm to pivot said opposite pressing lever connected bar lever end to apply power pressure to said connected pressing lever and pressing form, the bar lever being so connected to said movable pressing form. power mechanism and man power actuated mechanism as to permit said power mechanism to apply increased leverage through said bar lever to said movable pressing form.

15. In a garment press, a frame, a stationary pressing form', a movable pressing form, an operating lever pivotally mounted on the frame, and `v overlocking toggle mechanism connecting said operating lever and movable pressing form, a stop mounted on said frame, al locking lever pivotally mounted on said frame having one end thereof adapted to be abutted by said overlocking toggle mechanism, so that when said overlocking toggle mechanism is moved past dead center said locking lever will be pivoted until the other end 'abuts the stop vtoretain saidy overlocking toggle mechanism in off center position and thereby to retain said movable pressing form in pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, a release lever pivoted on said frame operatively connected to said locking lever to pivot said locking lever to remove said -overlocked toggle mechanism from its overlooked position to release it and thereby to permit the movable pressing form to rise to an open position.

16. In a garment'press, a frame, a stationary pressing form, a pressing lever of the rst class pivotally mounted on said frame having a pressing form mounted on the work arm thereof, adapted to be moved'into pressing relationship with said stationary pressing form, a bar lever g having a front end pivotally attached to the power arm of said pressing lever and having a free end. mechanism for man power operation of said pressing lever pivotally attached to a point on said bar lever intermediate its ends and means rendering said mechanism capable of retaining a maximum man power pressure position to provide a rigid pivot for said bar lever to permit pivotal movement thereof, and supplemental power means mounted on said pressing lever and connected to the free end of said ber lever to pivot it on its point of attachment to said man power actuated mechanism to exert greater than man power pressure on said pressing form, and mechanism for controlling the action of said power mechalaiinism. v

17. In a garment press, a fram a stationary pressing form, a pressing leverofthe first class pivotally mounted on said framehaving a pressing form mounted on the workarm thereof, said as pressing form being adapted to be moved into pressing relationship with said stationary'pressing form, a bar' lever having an end pivotally attached to the power arm of saidpressing lever and having a free end, a pressure cylinder piv- 30 otally mounted on said pressing lever, and a piston movable therein having a rod projecting rearwardly therefrom operatively connected both with the free end of s'aid bar lever and with the pressing lever power arm to exert downward presa5 sure on the connected work arm.

18. In a garment pressing machine. a frame, cooperating pressingvelements'..one of which is movable toward and from the other, a lever pivoted between its ends to the frame and carrying the movable element on one arm thereof, actuating mechanism for the lever including a motion transmitting part and dinerential connections bctween the motion transmitting part and the other arm of the lever,- said connections including a second lever pivoted to the latter arm' of the first lever, means on the iirst lever for holding the second lever from pivotal-movement relative to the rst lever during the preliminary closing of the press and said connections including means for fulcruming the second lever after the press has been preliminarily closed, thereby permitting 'relative movement of the second lever to the rst lever by the actuating part, when the press is preliminarily closed.

19. In a garment pressing machine, a frame. cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a lever` pivoted between its endsto the frame and carrying vthe movable element onl one arm thereof, actuating mechanism f or the lever including a motor, a part actuated by the motor, -a member mounted on a pivot on the other arm of said lever capable of movement with the lever as a unit and relatively thereto about Vsaid pivotsaid* member being connected to said part which is actuated by the motor to receive motion therefrom, and means on the lever for holding said member from ,movement about its pivot relatively Vto the lever during the preliminary closing of the press and permitting movement thereof about its pivot'relatively to the lever during the final closing of the press, means providingl a second pivot for said member after the movable press element has been preliminarily closed, said movement beingeffected by said part which is actuated by the motor', said last means causing said relative movement to effect ilnal closing of the press.

PYAM L. PENDLETON. 

